Black Sand And Fish Flicking

[Angie_B]

Despite doing regular water changes, I have noticed when I clean my tank that underneath the log thing and a rock etc the sand is black.

Tonight I have syphoned all the sand out, given it a clean and then only put the lightest of coverings back in.

I see on other peoples pics of their tanks they have a fair amount of sand. Am I the only one that is getting this? I had gravel the last time I kept some fish and never had problems at all and I'm thinking of going back to it.

My fish seem fine, although I noticed tonight before the big cleanup on the sand, one of the fish rubbed once. Is this due to the black stuff (bacteria I am assuming)?

Just a note, previous to my removal of the sand, I had tried to make sure not much was under the ornaments and it was about an inch deep in other places.



Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[WILDER]

Some members say sand more trouble than its worth.
The fish could of been flicking due to the sand being disturbed.
As for the black on the sand don't know what it is.

If you have bad bacteria in your tank you would smell it as it smells like rotten eggs or sulphur.

Do a search on black algae.

Angie didn't you have a high nitrate reading.
http/wiki.answers.com/Q/Black_Algae_in_fish_tank

 

[Angie_B]

Thanks Wilder.

This article was interesting ... but not sure it gives me an answer, as my sand wasn't very deep. I am tempted to go back to gravel, but I would like some Corydoras.


<"http/www.miniaturereef.com/Deep%20Sand%20Beds.htm">

 

[WILDER]

Corys are fine with gravel as long as it not got sharp edges.
You need round gravel so it dosn't harm there barbals or whiskers.

 

[Angie_B]

I also forgot to mention, on disturbing the sand, I often get air bubbles. My filter is set to produce lots of bubbles as my Danios like it and I had a treatment in the water previously for Velvet.

Can I add Melafix if there is Protozin still in the water? if it is bacterial?

 

[WILDER]

Think I would just remove the sand and go to gravel myself.
Just water changes and gravel vacs.
Is your tank near direct sunlight.
The parasite med has antiseptic stuff in it.

<a href="http/naturalaquariums.com/plantedtank/0608.html" target="_blank">http/naturalaquariums.com/plantedtank/0608.html</a>

Meds can make fish flick so I wouldn't worry if the meds still in the tank.

That antibiotic they suggest in the article also wipes benefical bacteria out in the filter.

This is the med they suggest and will only get it from the vet in the uk.
http/www.aquariumpros.com/Merchant2/merc...mp;Screen=APH55

 

[Angie_B]

I keep my curtains closed all day, then my light comes on for about 4-5 hours.

 

[WILDER]

Do you run an airstone as that helps.

 

[Angie_B]

My filter is pretty powerful and there re loads of small bubbles in the water.

Wilder thank you so much, you always have such a wealth of knowledge and help when we need it x

 

[drobbyb]

I had sand but as Wilder stated it was more trouble that it was worth. I switched back to gravel and everyting has been fine ever since.

 

[WILDER]

If the sands not very deep I think I would just remove it.
I just got one of those plastic storage boxes and add the tank water and fish while I changed by substrate.
Just transfer the heater and filter over and run them in the plastic box while you remove the sand,
Had to keep an eye on the fish to make sure they didn't jump out as never had a big net to put over the container.